So sorry about the late New Year’s post, friends! I got pretty sick last week and thought I’d spare y’all the rambling thoughts of a feverish woman, slightly loopy from medication. This week, luckily, I’m feeling great, and so excited to share some thoughts with you.

For those of you who have been around here for a year, you might remember last year’s New Year’s post. For the last several years, rather than choosing New Year’s resolutions, I have instead chosen a word.

That’s it.

One word that I’d like to focus on for the entire year.

And it has been AWESOME.

I have never, ever stuck to a New Year’s resolution. I am not terribly great with goals. But a word? Just one word to focus on? Even I can do that!

In 2014, my word was “hope”. I began the year facing a scary surgery, and hope was something that I desperately needed. And during that long and difficult year, I clung to hope like an anchor. As I continued to battle challenges (both physically and emotionally), I kept hope in my mind and in my heart.

In 2015, my word was “savor”. I felt a bit silly choosing that word, but after a year of challenges and struggles and pain, I desperately wanted to begin to enjoy my life again. I particularly wanted to relish this season of life with young children. The years are flying by SO fast, and somehow my baby is almost kindergarten age. So I wanted to make 2015 a year to savor. And I did. Not every day, certainly. But many days. I stopped to savor moments. I paused to create memories. I said “yes” when I would have rather said “no” to one more book, one more song, one more goodnight hug. And it was a beautiful way to focus my year.

So 2016 is here. And I’m going to get real here, y’all: I am a little bit afraid of 2016. My husband and I decided to accept a job opportunity that he received. It should offer a much better quality of family life, and I am hopeful that we will get to spend more time together than we have in years past. But it means a move. It means saying goodbye to my friends who have become like family. It means leaving my new home. It means leaving my wonderful job teaching preschool. It means starting over in a new place. And guess what I don’t like doing? Starting over.

But I’ve realized that I get to choose.

I get to choose if I am going to dread this move. I can decide that I’m going to hate my new home. I can loathe the weather. I can whine about all of the changes in my life. I can mourn the loss of my friends. I can throw a pity party when I leave my job.

Or I can make another choice.

I can choose to be happy, wherever I am.

Is it going to be that simple? Goodness, no. Am I going to be successful at this every day? I highly doubt it. I anticipate that I will struggle with this. A LOT. In fact, this is likely going to be a real stretch for me many days this year.

But I have made a choice, and I need you to help me stick to it.

I have chosen that wherever I am, I will be happy.

And not just that … but wherever I am, I will find a way to make the world a better place. I will find someone to bless. I will find a way to brighten and cheer. I will not just survive, but I will flourish. I will learn more about myself, I will become more confident, and I will use my strengths in ways that will make life better for others. I will love myself, and I will help others to love themselves, too.

In 2016 … my goal is to bloom.

And I can’t wait to see what opportunities await.

Are you joining me in choosing a word for this new year? What is your word for 2016?